Surfing has finally broken through to Italy and young Italians love it

In the last two decades, specialised magazines including “Surfer” have been clueing in their readers on the possibility of practising surf in Italy. A global perspective may merely address the information as a “diversion for amateurs,” as none have ever heard about riding waves and surfboards on the Italian shores.

Well, things are
changing. With more than 5000 km of coastline exposed to swell from all
directions, this maritime nation can get, lo and behold, good waves, especially
through the winter months, and in a number of spots around the country. In
Sardinia for example, where regular mistral winds can comfortably create double
overhead conditions, or along the Tyrrhenian coast, from Civitavecchia to
Napoli, where larger swell days aren't unusual at all.

So, contrary to popular
belief, waves do exist in Italy. It follows that this country's been home to a
dedicated contingent of wave riders (a fact little known to Italians
themselves), with a few emerging national and international talents.

A strawberry-blond hair
and a sparkling smile, Valentina Vitale has been crowned Italian Surf Champion
in the shortboard category multiple times. Born and raised in Rome, Valentina could only start surfing at the age of
majority. As she recalls: “My parents strongly opposed my choice, thinking at
the dangers of the sport. I don't blame them, also because fourteen years ago,
surfing in Italy was not as popular as today.”

As soon as she turned
eighteen she bought her first board. Due to the lack of surf schools and
coaches, Valentina learnt to “stay on board” by herself, stubbornly following a
bunch of local riders and eventually gaining a position of respect as one of
the few Italian surfing girls.

The location was Lido
di Ostia, the only district of the capital on the Roman coast overlooking the
Tyrrhenian Sea. Its inhabitants would show surprise at the sight of that
unusual hobby. As a matter of fact, “Any time me and my crew walked around with
a surfboard, locals labelled us as visitors. We were true Italians
instead, with a passion for waves,” she highlights with a certain pride.

Although self-taught,
Valentina's list of victories has been encouraging, and the trigger to continue
feeding her dream over the years. Surf is still a young sport in Italy, and the
difficulty in finding sponsors has always represented the first obstacle
professionals need to deal with.

However, audacious,
obstinate, and under the motto “You can do it, if you dare to try,” Valentina
Vitale, now in her thirties, is the female national surf multi champion. She
won the Italian Championship five times, while ranking fifth at the Eurosurfing
Championship in Casablanca, Morocco, in 2015. She also won a couple of
international competitions in California and at the Canary Islands, in Spain,
when on holiday.

Travelling around the
world to “chase the perfect wave”, as the surfers would put it, has helped
Valentina to refine her technique and get all the necessary knowledge to make
the sea her natural habit. “Morocco, Portugal, US, Indonesia, Australia twice,
and many more destinations, anytime I travel abroad, I've been asked if there
are waves in Italy. Yes, indeed!”

Surfing as a sport
began in Italy around the 80’s. Lazio and Tuscany are nowadays the two regions
that count the biggest number of surfers in the country, thanks to the many
cities lying along the coast and the number of beach breaks and rocky points,
suitable for every level of surfing. Varazze, in Liguria, is another popular
spot too.

Of course, surfing in Italy is
different from the rest of the world. The mainland coasts are protected from
the islands, so it's rare to get big a swell, while Sardinia is the place that
gets most of it because of its characteristic fetch.

“Our country is surrounded by
the Mediterranean Sea – reads a promotional leaflet – and, unlike the ocean,
our waves are less powerful but still great. Just remember, if you want to surf
here, be ready to follow the swell. And, if it's summer, leave the wetsuit at
home!”

We won't easily witness
Aussies practising surf in Italy, even if it is a good idea for those touring
around the capital, to have a break from the ancient ruins and try Italy’s
waters. On the contrary, living Down Under has been memorable for Valentina and
her passion. “Australia ticks all the boxes. It's an enormous country with
unique nature, wildlife and landscapes and, not less important, waves are among
the best in the world. It doesn't surprise that, although I lived five months
there, travelling up and down the East coast, a comeback was on the way. In
both cases, I spent most of my time in Byron Bay, riding waves at Tallow Beach,
my favourite, and The Pass. I'll never forget how magic is surfing with
dolphins and mantas!”

Despite a degree in
Oriental Languages and Cultures gained at the University La Sapienza in Rome,
Valentina has never worked nor looked for a job in the area. In fact, surf
coaching has been her only job since the age of twenty-two.

In 2006, the Roman girl
opened one of the surf schools of Lido di Ostia - currently the largest and a
success considering only last year the school counted 600 members, whose
percentage was equally split in male and female. As the sport is gradually
becoming more popular, the number of schools are increasing significantly
throughout the country, with five schools dedicated to the sport only in the
suburb of Ostia.

Hip, fascinating,
sometimes addictive, surfing has a prominent spiritual side. There you are,
alone with your capabilities among patterns of waves, every moment a new
challenge and a continuous growth. “Surfing is freedom, nothing is more
necessary than a board, a wetsuit, and the waves”, our surfer explains.
“Furthermore, the constant exposure with nature can deliver the best teaching
on how to respect it.”

Having said that,
according to Valentina, there is a myth to dispel. “Surfing is cool, but also a
tough sport. It requires a lot of practice and training in and out of water,
patience and attention. In simple words, you don't just grab a board and jump
into the ocean, unless the idea is to challenge the nature unwisely.”

If the Italian surf is
finally making the world tour, the credit is to be attributed to a boy just
come of age, Leonardo Fioravanti. Originally from Cerveteri, near Rome, our
wild card rider started surfing at the age of six, soon reaching the dream to
become a pro surfer. Lepetit génie, the little genius, as the
French magazine “Le Monde” has renamed him, at only twelve years of age won the
ISA World Junior Surfing Championship at Oceanside, California. It was 2012,
his first world renowned victory.

More recently, Leonardo
Fioravanti, who returned to competition after breaking his back at Pipeline in
Hawaii in 2015, is known for beating twice, last year, the US 11-time world
champion Kelly Slater, his mentor and childhood hero.

His graduation to the
big leagues and world tour represents an unprecedented chapter for the
professional Italian Surf, and set a new goal for both Valentina and Leonardo:
the qualification at the Olympics of Tokyo 2020, where for the first time in
history surfing will enter the games as a proper discipline.

Graduated in Cultural Tourism with subsequent qualification to the practice of the Traveler, specialized in Communication to better understand the others, I am passionate about the daily life of modern society, which I like to write about without frills. I love reportages, contemporary narrative, and gardening. Almost restless like Chatwin, I used to hang from one place to another, until recently settling down in country Australia.